The Detroit Lions have placed an original round tender on restricted free agent tackle Jason Fox. He will earn $1.3 million this season.

Fox was originally a fourth-round selection by Detroit in 2010. If another team wants to sign Fox this offseason, that squad must give Detroit a fourth-round draft pick in exchange, but the Lions have the option of matching that offer.

If Fox does not receive an offer from another team, he will eventually sign Detroit's tender.

Fox has a chance to compete for a starting position at left tackle or right tackle this offseason. Detroit left tackle Jeff Backus is still under contract, but could become a salary cap casualty if Detroit decides to clear room. Lions right tackle Gosder Cherilus will become a free agent tomorrow, and Fox could compete for his position if the starter is not re-signed.

"We're prepared for just about anything as far as turnover on the offensive line, or turnover anywhere," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said at the NFL Scouting Combine. "I think that we drafted on the offensive line, last year with Riley Reiff, a couple of years before that with Jason Fox. We've developed those guys, and if we got to plug them in, we're prepared to do it.

"All those guys are guys we think a lot of, and we think they can go and do the job if called upon."

Fox was finally able to earn the trust of his coaches by staying healthy last season. He had been plagued with injuries in his first two NFL seasons, and despite missing last year's minicamp due to a knee injury, Fox finished last season relatively healthy.

Detroit's tender of Fox likely means defensive end Willie Young will receive his deal sometime soon.